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First enter the color code to find the conversion and the best matching colors. After that, you can create palettes by clicking on and download color samples.
If you want to convert colors from the European Natural Color System (NCS) to the American Sherwin-Williams® color system, qConv helps you find the most perceptually similar shade. The two systems are based on different principles: NCS defines colors by visual perception, while Sherwin-Williams relies on precise, industrially measured color data.
During conversion, qConv analyzes the selected NCS color through its LAB values and compares it with thousands of stored shades from the Sherwin-Williams database. The result is the Sherwin-Williams tone that is colorimetrically closest to the NCS value. Because pigments and binders differ between systems, slight variations can occur, especially in highly saturated or pastel tones.
How Does the Conversion Work?
The NCS (Natural Color System) is based on six primary colors — white, black, yellow, red, blue, and green — and defines each shade by its visual perception. qConv mathematically transforms this subjective impression into an objective LAB value. The LAB value represents the color independently of display media, allowing precise comparison with the Sherwin-Williams database.
Each Sherwin-Williams color has defined LAB coordinates. qConv calculates the ΔE value (Delta E) — the distance between two colors in the LAB space — to find the closest match. The smaller the ΔE, the more similar the colors appear to the human eye. With just one click, you get the most realistic SW code for your desired NCS tone.
Example: The color NCS S 2050-Y90R represents a warm, vivid red. After conversion, you might get Sherwin-Williams SW 6868 Stop Red as the closest tone — visually almost identical but defined within the industrial system. This method is ideal for designers and architects aligning color schemes across international projects.
Tips for Designers, Architects & Color Consultants
Converting between NCS and Sherwin-Williams is especially useful when you need to match color palettes between European and American projects. Many interior design studios and coating companies use NCS as a planning base, while North American manufacturers primarily rely on Sherwin-Williams® codes.
Use qConv not only to compare NCS colors but also to expand them: you can display analogous, triadic, or complementary harmonies based on the matched SW tone. qConv also allows you to quickly generate gradients from your selected colors — perfect for design concepts, moodboards, or presentations.
For precise printing or coating, it’s recommended to verify the found SW shade using physical color swatches, as monitor colors may vary. qConv provides a scientifically grounded way to identify and apply cross-system color matches professionally.
Calculation Example
For example, consider NCS S 3050-B90G — a strong turquoise. This is converted into LAB coordinates (L*, a*, b*), for instance L=55, a=-20, b=-15. qConv compares these LAB values with those in the Sherwin-Williams database. The calculation of the smallest ΔE difference yields the most perceptually similar tone, e.g., SW 6945 Belize.
The result includes not only the visually similar color but also corresponding RGB, HEX, and CMYK values. This lets you use the color directly for digital renderings, layouts, or as a base for paints and coatings in real-world projects.
* Note:
qConv.com searches for the next matching color from the selected color palette. In most cases, there will be minimal or apparent color differences because there is not an exact match for every color.
The NCS® – Natural Color System – is a scientifically based color model that describes how humans perceive color. Unlike technical models such as RGB or CMYK, NCS is built on visual perception and defines colors based on their similarity to six elementary colors: white, black, yellow, red, blue, and green.
Each NCS color is identified by a systematic code that represents its visual characteristics, for example NCS S 1080-Y70R. The system provides a logical structure that allows designers, architects, and manufacturers to communicate color accurately across industries. Since April 2022, an additional 100 new colors have been added, bringing the total to 2,050 shades in the current NCS collection.
Usage
The NCS® color system is widely used in architecture, product design, and industrial manufacturing. It helps professionals create harmonies based on human color perception and enables accurate matching between digital design, paint, and materials. NCS colors are used by major paint manufacturers, design firms, and universities worldwide.
The system is also valuable for color psychology and environmental design, as it allows designers to work with perception-based contrasts and mood settings rather than purely technical color codes.
Tips for Designers & Architects
When working with NCS, focus on the relationship between hue, chromaticness, and blackness. Colors closer to white or black are ideal for subtle backgrounds, while saturated hues create striking focal points. NCS values can be easily converted to digital formats such as RGB, HEX, or CMYK using tools like qConv.
With qConv, you can search all 2,050 NCS® tones, including the 2022 additions. Simply enter “2022” in the search field to discover the newest colors.
The Sherwin-Williams® color system is one of the world’s most comprehensive professional paint collections, featuring more than 1,700 standardized colors used in architecture, interior design, and industrial coatings. Each color is precisely defined by a unique code, ensuring consistent application across different materials and projects.
Sherwin-Williams® paints are formulated for both aesthetic excellence and long-term durability. The brand offers digital color libraries that integrate seamlessly with professional design software, enabling accurate color visualization and matching across print, digital, and real-world surfaces.
Usage
Sherwin-Williams® colors are widely used in residential and commercial architecture, product manufacturing, and brand design. They play a key role in creating mood, atmosphere, and identity within spaces. The color library is available through physical swatches, color fan decks, and digital databases, making it accessible for both design professionals and homeowners.
The system also supports industrial coatings and protective paints, ensuring that the same color tone can be achieved across metals, plastics, and building materials.
Tips for Designers & Architects
When specifying Sherwin-Williams® colors, always verify the finish — matte, satin, semi-gloss, or gloss — as surface texture affects how the color is perceived. For digital projects, qConv allows you to convert any Sherwin-Williams® color into RGB, HEX, or CMYK formats for accurate visualization and brand consistency.
Use qConv to explore matching and complementary colors across Sherwin-Williams®, Pantone®, and RAL® systems to ensure seamless cross-media integration.